Water agitator



April 2g 1929 l J. F. KlENNlNGER 1,707,733

WATER AGITATOR Filed May 27, 1927 5 SheelZS-Sheel l UBUUUDDDD DUDDDODUUD[mwen/Zo?" April 2 '1929- J. F. KIENNINGER 1,707,733

WATER AGITATOR lFiledmay 27, 1927 s sheets-sheen 2 April 2 1 929- J. F.KIENNINGER 1,707,733

WATER AGI TATOR Filed May 27, 1927 5 sheets-.shea 3 Patented Apr. 2,1929.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. KIENNINGER, OF NORTH CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TECHNICOLOR MOTION SACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

WATER AGITATOR.

Application filed May 27,

This invention relates tov a method of and apparatus for effectinguniformity of imbibition Contact between a matrix and a blank filmsurface, or the like.

In the printing of cinematographic'films by imbibition it is essentialthat the dye-wet matrix surface shall be contacted uniformly with theblank film to be printed and that the conditions at the interface shallnot be interrupted except in so far as to correspond t0'theirregularities of the matrix image to be transferred.

To facilitate such uniformity of contact it has been proposed (copendingpatent of Melvin G. Young, No. 1,675,743, granted July 3, 1928) to bringthe matrix film and blank film along acutely converging paths and intocontact with each other at a point where they are immersed in asurrounding fluid medium, and subsequently to compress the thusregistered films into intimate face Contact with each other.

In this procedure however it is found that extraneous particles of solidsubstances or surplus or loosened dye may be present' upon the filmsurfaces, and also that gases may in some instances be absorbed by thesurfaces of the contacting films, moreover solid particles or surplusdye or gases may be present in the liquid medium surrounding the vContact point and be entrained as the films `are rolled together. Ineither c ase, the presence of such foreign materials interrupts theuniformity .of contact and hence produces irregularities andimperfections in the printed reproduction of the matrix images.

It is therefore an object of this invention to overcome or prevent suchimperfections and to provideA means for Ieffecting; a uniform pressureContact between the film surfaces. It is,a further object to providesuch contact under conditions which shall assure complete transfer ofthe dye from the matrix (as by imbibition) into the surface of the blankfilm. Other objects will, be manifest from the following disclosure.

The method of the invention generally in- Acludes passing a dye-wetmatrix film and a blank film substantially continuously into surfacecontact with each other, simultaneously maintaining the contactingportion of 1927. Serial No. 194,839.

dissolved gases) agitation or current of the water adjacent to thecontacting portions of the films. The contacting films may be positivelypressed together and, if desired, into fixed engagement with a suitablebacking or other support.

A specific application of the invention will be described with respectto the printing of' cinematographic films, such as gelatin coatedCelluloid or the like, from matrix films which have been previously wetwith suitable dyes. Apparatus suitable for such procedure is shown inthe accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-section of a tank and apparatus forcontacting the films therein;

Fig. 2 is a detail plan View of the films and a suitable carrier orbacking strip therefor;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view, with parts broken away, of the tank, filmsand agitator;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic elevation ofthe film strips and agitator; l,

. Fig. 5 is an elevational View of a part of Fig. 1 showing a preferredembodiment of the invention with parts removed;

F ig. 6 is a plan view of the nozzle shown in Fig. 5; y

Fig. 7 is an end view of the nozzle removed from Fig. 5; v

Fig. 8 is a side View of part of the nozzle removed from Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a plan View of the nozzle shown Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 indicates a tank, arranged toreceive the blank film2, matrix film 3 and backing strip 4 to direct theysame is converging relationship to passi botwen rollers 5 and 6 andthence between pulleys 5 and 6, and to leave the tank at exit 7 while anoverflow is provided at 8 and a drain at 9. The backing strip 4 isguided by pulley 10 and the matrix film by fixed pulley 11. Pulley-10 isconveniently mounted in a bearing 12 sliding between the vertical ways17, while pulley 11 is attached to the fixed mounting 18 on the innerside of the tank. The blank film 2 is guided by the pulley 5. Betweenthe films 3 and 2, and curved substantially parallel to the latteris-provided a water inlet 19, with a tapered outlet at 2O above theupper (printing) surface of the PICTURE CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, -MAS- iand providing a vigorous r matrix film 3 and adjacent to the line ofcontact in which the films meet as they pass into the nip betweenrollers 5 and 6.

Roller 6 is mounted in permanent bearings 21, while roller 5 is mountedin bearings 23, adapted to slide vertically vbetween guideways 22attached to the sidewall of the tank by screws 24. The upper part of thebearing carries a post 25 and adjustable weights 26 thereon.

Likewise, roller 6 is mounted in bearings 21 and pulley 5 in the bearing23 sliding in the guideways 22. The upper bearing also has a post 25 andweights 26 and at one side a projecting arm 27 with roller 28 thereonand a flexible perforated metal band 29 surrounding both roller 5 androller 28.

The backing strip 4 has parallel rows of upwardly projecting teeth 30adjacent to the margins and spaced apart to correspond to the sprocketholes 31 in the films 3 and 2 respectively, as shown in Fig. 2.

In operation, the tank is first filled with water to a level even withoverflow pipe 8. The water is preferably as pure as may be pbssible,free both from solid particles andalso from oeeluded or dissolved gasesor liquids, and is kept in constant circulation through the tank. Themetal backing strip 4 (of which the portion shown may be only a part ofa continuous be t) is passed, in the direction of the arrow aroundpulley 10, and thence between rollers 5, 6 and between rollers 5, 6,being received between the faces of the rollers which are suitablyshaped to closely fit the backing andteeth thereon. The matrix film 3vis led downwardly under pulley teeth upon the backing strip) into thenip of rollers 5, 6.

The .blank film 2, having perforations corresponding to those in matrixfilm 3, is then led around pulley 5 and into registry with the matrixfilm 3 and its sprocket holes into engagement with the teeth upon thebacking strip 4 and directly between the rollers 5, 6. The backing 4,the matrix 3, and blank film 2, in registered relationship, pass betweenthe compression rollers 5, 6, and are thereby contacted and almostsimultaneously compressed into firm engagement and intimate surfacecontact with eachother.

The films and belt are continued in their movements along the pathsindicated while a continuous current of water, preferably pure and gasfree and, if desired, at a predetermined temperature, is conductedthrough pipe 19 and directed through outlet 20 against the upper surfaceof the matrix film 3. The water jet is preferably under appreciablepressure and directed closely adjacent to the point at which the filmsare effectively contacted with each other. It also impinges upon theunder surface of the blank film 2, and thus serves to clear both of thecontacting surfaces and to effect a complete-and uniform water-wettingof both films just bcfore they come together. This also conditions thetwo surfaces for uniform imbibit-ion of dye from the one to the other.More especially is this effective to dislodge and remove impurities,both solid and gaseous,'from the central portion of thc film surfaces.

The films, as thus brought into registered Contact and in engagementwith the backing strip,'are next conducted between rollers 5, 6', theflexible perforated metal band 29 fitting between and around the rows ofteeth 30 and pressing the films more closely together and more firmlyinto engagement with the backing, and at the same time expelling anyaccumulations of extraneous materials along the margins of the films. Asimilar pair of rollers and flexible perforated metal band may beprovided outside and beyond the water tank for still further urging thefilms together and assuring accurate and continuous contacttherebetween.

In the modified form of apparatus shown in Figs. 5 to 9, in which likenumerals indicate like parts, the nozzle 2O includes a pipe 32 leadingthrough a solid nozzle head 33 to a transverse passage 34 which in turnopens through a transverse slit 35 to the outlet opening 36. The nozzlehead 33 is substantially equal in width to the width of the film or tothe space between the flanges on pulley 5. The upper andlower surfaces37, 38 of the head taper toward the opening 36 and are provided withrecesses 39, 40 respectively in which rest flapper plates 41, 42 hingedat 43, 44, with their opposite end portions 45, 46, joined together by aspring 47 and provided with set screws 48, 49. On either side of thenozzlehead are provided filler plates 50, 51

correspondingto the thickness of the flanges i side plates are held inposition on either side of the nozzle head by rivets or machine screws54. The whole may be secured to the side of the tank, as by anadji'lstable wing ynut 55.

As thus aiu'angcd, it is to be observed that the nozzle ma)y beintroduced 'between the blank and matrix films 2, 3 softhat the blankfilm 2 passes over the upper flapper plate 41, slightly depressing thesame into its recess 39 against the tension of spring 47 when a spliceor irregularity in the film passes. dinarily a slight clearance of about.O05 `is maintained. The matrix film 3 and backing 4 likewise pass overthe lower fiapper plate 42, pressing the same into recess 40 likewiseagainst operation of spring 47 when splices or irregularities of thefilm pass.

Orl CTI per plates and by Thus between the upper surface 37 and blankfilm 2 and between the lower vsurface 38 and matrix film 3 are formedvery narrow spaces which extend across the film surface and aresubstantially closed by the fiapthe side plates 52, 53, and by the lineof contact of the film in front of the nozzle. iVhen the liquid such aswater is now supplied through pipe 32, under pressure, it eXp-ands intoa wide thin sheet as it passes out through opening 36, impinges againstthe films at their' line of contact and, due to its confinement, sweepsback along the surfaces of the films 2 and 3, past the restriction ofthe fiappers 4l, 42, in a thin, confined sheet, and thence into the mainvolume of liquid in the tank l. v

When fastening members upon either 0f the films or irregularities fromany cause reach the nozzle, they may depress the flappers temporarilyand pass by freely, without binding and without necessitating apermanently wide opening. In this way a relatively constant and rapidsheet of water surges over the surface of each of the films just beforethey come into actualv surface contact. Moreover, absolutely fresh wateris maintained at the contact point, it being impossible for any of thesurrounding polluted water to enter the restricted contact area. Theopposed directions of the films and the jets ofI water passing over themincreases the cleaning effects upon the film surfaces.

I claim:

l. Method of effecting intimate contact of films or the like, as inimbibition printing, which comprises leading the same along convergingpaths into face contact with each other, immersing the films in a liquidmediumadjacent to the contacting portion of the film surfaces, andagitating the liquid medium.

2. Method of effecting cont-act of films or the like, as in imbibitionprinting, which comprises leading the same along converging paths intoline contact with each other, advancing the line contact longitudinallyof the film, immersing the films in a. liquid medium adjacent to thecontacting portion of the film surfaces, and maintaining agitation ofthe liquid medium.

3. Method of effecting contact of films or the like, as in imbibitionprinting, which comprises leading the same along converg ing paths intoline contact with each other, advancing the line contact longitudinallyof the film, immersing the films in a liquid medium adjacent to thecontacting portion of the film surfaces, and directing a stream of theliquid medium toward the line contact of the films.

4. Method of e'ecting contact of films or the like, as in imbibitionprinting,which comprises leading the same along converg- Aprises leadingthe same along the like, as in imbibition printing, which comprisesleading the same along converging paths into line Contact with eachother, advancing the line contact longitudinally of the film, immersingthe films in a liquid medium adjacent to the contacting portion of thefilm surfaces, and directing a stream of the liquid medium toward theline contact of the hns and thence against the surfaces of the filmsapproaching the line of contact of the films in a direction opposed tothe direction of movement of the films.

6. Method of effcctingcontact of films or the like, as in imbibitionprinting, which comprises leading the same along converging paths intoline contact with each other, advancing the line contact longitudinallyof the film, immersing the films in a liquid medium adjacent to thecontacting portion of the film surfaces, and directing a stream of theliquid medium toward the line contact of the films and directing acurrent of the liquid against said film surfaces prior to their line ofcontact and thence in opposition to the direction of movement 0f thefilms.

7. Method of effecting contact of films or the like, asin imbibitionprinting, which comprises leading the same along converging paths intocontact with each other, providing a liquid medium surrounding the filmsadjacent to the contacting portion of thefilm surfaces, and maintainingagitation of the liquid medium, and effecting compression contactbetween the films.

8. Method of effecting'contact of films or the like, as in imbibitionprinting, which comconverging paths into contact with each other,providing a liquid medium around the films adjacent to the contactingportion of the film surfaces, maintaining agitation of the liquidmedium, and effecting compression contact of said films with each otherand against a backing stri 9.pApparatus for effecting the intimatecontact of films or the like, comprising means for leading the filmsinto face contact with each other, means for retaining a liquid mediumbetween the contacting areas of the films and means for agitating theliquid medium against the films adjacent to the contacting portionsthereof.

10. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising means for leading the films into face contact with eachother, means for retaining va liquid medium between the contacting areasof the films and means for directing a current of the liquid mediumagainst the films adjacent to the contacting portions thereof.

11. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising :means for leading the films alongconverging paths into linecontact with each other, means for retaining a liquid medium between the-con tacting areas of the films and means for directing a current of theliquid medium against the films adjacent to the contacting portionsthereof.

12. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising means for leading the films into face contact with eachother, means for retaining a liquid medium between the contacting areasof the films and means for directing a current of the liquid medium,means for guiding the current toward the line of contact of the filmsand thence rearwardly along the surfaces of the films in a directionopposed to the direction of movement thereof.

13. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising means for leading the films into face contact with eachother, means for retaining a liquid medium between the contacting areasof the films and means for directing a current of the liquid medium,means for guiding the current toward the line of contact of the filmsand thence rearwardly along the surfaces ofthe films in a directionopposed to the direction of movement thereof, and ficxiblc meansretaining said current closely against the surface of the films butyieldable to irregularities of the film surface.

11i. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising means for leading the films into face contact with eachother, means for retaining a liquid medium between the contacting areasof the films and means for agitating the liquid mcdium against the filmsadjacent to the contacting portions thereof, and means for compressingthe films together upon contact.

15. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising means for leading the films into face contact with eachother, means for retaining a liquid medium between the contacting areasof the films, and means for directing a current of the liquid mediumagainst the films adjacent to the contacting portions thereof, and meansfor effecting pressure Contact between said surfaces at the line ofContact.

16. Apparatus for effecting the intimate contact of films or the like,comprising means for leading the` films into face contact with eachother, means for retaining a liquid inedium between the Contacting areasof the films, means for introducing into Contact area fresh liquidmedium, means for leading the liquid away from the contact area and forpreventing used liquid from entering the Contact area.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this sixth day of May, 1927.

JOHN r. KmNNmeEa.

